Developing tools for the rapid screening of canola germplasm for quantitative resistance to blackleg disease

Project Summary

Adult plant resistance, also called quantitative resistance, is the most favourable form of genetic resistance against blackleg disease, since it is controlled by several genes, hence being more durable. Despite its importance, it is very challenging to identify and introduce adult plant resistance into canola cultivars.

The goal of this research is to optimize a protocol for identifying adult plant resistance to blackleg disease under controlled conditions (growth chamber) and validate results in the field. Molecular markers associated with the adult plant resistance genes will be developed and offered as a diagnostic and breeding tool.

A growth chamber assay identified 47 lines with adult plant resistance. A population that consisted of 36 of these lines were tested for their response to blackleg disease in a field trial conducted in Morden, Manitoba. Presence of adult plant resistance was confirmed under the field conditions, which indicates the validity of the growth-chamber-based assay.

Outcomes

A protocol for growth chamber and greenhouse based adult plant resistance assay using single and mixed isolates applied at the seedling stage (as occurs under natural condition) was developed and can be used for high-throughput screening to identify canola varieties with quantitative resistance to blackleg disease.

Also, a major QTL on a chromosome of B. napus was identified.